An emotional win

I talk NASCAR every once in a while on here and today is an appropriate day to write about it. I enjoy the sport of NASCAR and have followed it for a long time now.

I remember watching Dale Earnhardt win the 1998 Daytona 500, and hoping that Jeff Gordon would win instead. I remember watching the 2001 Daytona 500 and seeing Dale Earnhardt die. I was happy about the crash when I saw it at first because it meant my driver was going to have a better finish.

I learned a life lesson soon after, which was too never ever ever hope something bad on someone else.

Dale Earnhardt was a special athlete, one that I don't think gets the level of respect or admiration from those in the Northeast and media markets of Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Earnhardt was one of those rare and special athletes who really identified with fans. He was a special figure in sports. I think he identified and brought pride to his fans the way Jackie Robinson did. I think Earnhardt and Robinson are some select few athletes who represent people in ways other than just sports. I'd argue that Michael Jordan isn't quite on their level. No football player or hockey player can compare. Maybe Pele is up there with them too.

I heard that after Earnhardt died that some schools in the south canceled school so that they could honor Earnhardt and attend or watch his funeral. Not many people get that treatment.

Today, for the last time ever, Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove his dad's old number three. The car had a yellow and light blue paint scheme and was sponsored by his dad's first sponsor, Wrangler. Jr. brought that Chevy to victory lane at Daytona, NASCAR's signature track and the same track that his father died at. It was a special moment to see his son win in his father's old car.